topic Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list in Data Management Questions

add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 03:44:20 GMT

I am embarking on a new project that is located in Finland and the data in the project folder are projected in Finnish KKJ_Zone 4 [EPSG2394].

The Arc dropdown box lists two projections for Finland under Projected Coordinate Systems/National Grids: KKJ Finland Zone 0 and KKJ Finland Zone 5 (but no Zone 4).

Is there a simple way to add KKJ Finland Zone 4 to the list of selectable projections? or do I have to define the projection myself?

I am using Arc 9.3.1 and Windows 8.

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

AbdullahAnter — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 12:00:35 GMT

If it is not exsit in your version, so create it. Then save it in the favorites list by right click on the projection and choose Add to Favorites

the projection properties according to my version ArcGIS 10.1 is:

Finland_Zone_4
WKID: 2394 Authority: EPSG
Projection: Gauss_Kruger
False_Easting: 4500000.0
False_Northing: 0.0
Central_Meridian: 30.0
Scale_Factor: 1.0
Latitude_Of_Origin: 0.0
Linear Unit: Meter (1.0)
Geographic Coordinate System: GCS_KKJ
Angular Unit: Degree (0.0174532925199433)
Prime Meridian: Greenwich (0.0)
Datum: D_KKJ
Spheroid: International_1924
    Semimajor Axis: 6378388.0
    Semiminor Axis: 6356911.946127947
    Inverse Flattening: 297.0

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

AbdullahAnter — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 12:16:02 GMT

Let me share your post in map projections and Coordinate Reference Systems to find someone ,who know is the projection in ArcGIS version 9.3.1exist or not?

and I will mention that to Melita Kennedy I'm sure she has the answer.

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

curtvprice — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 18:18:51 GMT

You can find any projection not included in your build of the software and download it in Esri format at

http://spatialreference.org KKJ / Finland zone 4: EPSG Projection -- Spatial Reference

Once you've loaded it from the downloaded file, add it to your favorites, also keep the file around so you can use it whenever you need it.

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 03:13:02 GMT

Curtis (and Abdullah)

Thanks you for the information; this is the solution I was hoping for. However, I have clicked on your link and seen the page. I cannot see any function on that page that allows the user to download the projection

Regards

Walter

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

curtvprice — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 05:44:18 GMT

From the page below, right-click the link "Esri WKT" and save the file to a local location, rename the file to have a .prj extension.

You can then browse to that from the ArcGIS coordinate system dialog.

KKJ / Finland zone 4: EPSG Projection -- Spatial Reference

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 04:58:28 GMT

Thanks for your help out there. The option of directly downloading the projection and giving it a .prj ending did not work. The Arc explorer did not recognise the file when I tried to assign it to the map. Creating a new projection using the parameters supplied by your kind selves did work.

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

curtvprice — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 17:03:39 GMT

Hi Walter.

By default Windows hides file extensions. I highly recommend you turn this option off as it really adds confusion. Also, when you Save As, make sure you do not save as Text Document:

This save/as will not work, as it will save a file download.prj.txt.

If you change type to All Files this will save download1.prj so it will show up in the browse list.

Note "download.prj" is not in the list because it is really "download.prj.txt",

"download1.prj" DOES show up.

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 01:04:58 GMT

Curtis

It did not download with the .prj extension but I gave it that by renaming, once it was in my folder

Cheers

Walter

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

curtvprice — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 01:29:34 GMT

Walter, if you haven't clicked the box in Windows Explorer to turn off 'hide known file extensions' and rename a file to file.prj, it's "real name" is still file.prj.txt, the extension is hidden.

I turn that setting off as the first thing I do when I get set up with a new windows login! I am grateful that although Esri added this as an option inside Catalog, the default is OFF (don't hide extension).

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 03:41:34 GMT

Curtis

Thanks for that tip. I used to know how to see hidden files but since acquiring Windows8, I had lost it. Got it back now, thanks.

However, saving the Finnish projection (with a .prj extension) at the link you provided, I am unable to select that file when using Coordinate System/Import. The dialogue box calls for Geographic datasets and the .prj file is not visible amongst the folder contents.

Regards

\Walter

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

curtvprice — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 04:30:55 GMT

This isn't hidden files I'm talking about, the issue is hidden extensions for known file types (different thing). If the file is truly named .prj, (not prj.txt) the import dialog above can see it fine. (As seen in my screenshot up-thread.)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/865219/how-to-show-or-hide-file-name-extensions-in-windows-explorer

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

WalterWitt — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 05:36:12 GMT

Curtis

What do you make of this then (attached)?

Walter

Re: add an existing projection to the drop down list

MelitaKennedy — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:52:41 GMT

That's weird because we added zones 1-4 in a very, very early release, well before 9.3.1. Zones 0 and 5 were added in 9.3. They should be in National Grids\Finland. Are the other Finnish coordinate systems there? The GK zones?

I've see a problem with prj files if you are using a localized OS, but the decimal symbol doesn't match the code page. For instance, the decimal symbol is set to comma, but using a US code page / localization.

Melita